STATE TAX COMPARISON · TAX YEAR 2026
Colorado vs California taxes in 2026
Colorado taxes income at a flat 4.4%, while California taxes it at graduated rates from 1% to 12.3%, plus 1% over $1 million. For single filers, take-home pay is higher in California at $50,000 and higher in Colorado from $75,000 up, by $8,569 at $250,000. For a married couple with two children, take-home pay is higher in California up to $150,000 and higher in Colorado at $250,000, by $3,907.
Your estimate
- You keep more in Colorado
- $73.52 a year
- Colorado income tax
- $2,591.60
- California income tax
- $2,665.12
- Take-home in Colorado
- $59,000.90
- Take-home in California
- $58,927.38
Take-home pay in Colorado and California
Take-home pay is wages minus state income tax, federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare. Property, sales and other taxes are not included.
| Colorado | California | |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 in wages: $519 more take-home in California | ||
| State income tax | $1,492 | $973 |
| Take-home pay | $40,863 | $41,382 |
| $75,000 in wages: $74 more take-home in Colorado | ||
| State income tax | $2,592 | $2,665 |
| Take-home pay | $59,001 | $58,927 |
| $100,000 in wages: $1,219 more take-home in Colorado | ||
| State income tax | $3,692 | $4,911 |
| Take-home pay | $75,488 | $74,269 |
| $150,000 in wages: $3,669 more take-home in Colorado | ||
| State income tax | $5,892 | $9,561 |
| Take-home pay | $107,899 | $104,230 |
| $250,000 in wages: $8,569 more take-home in Colorado | ||
| State income tax | $10,292 | $18,861 |
| Take-home pay | $172,890 | $164,321 |
| Colorado | California | |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 in wages: $783 more take-home in California | ||
| State income tax | $783 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $48,012 | $48,795 |
| $75,000 in wages: $1,883 more take-home in California | ||
| State income tax | $1,883 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $67,139 | $69,023 |
| $100,000 in wages: $2,019 more take-home in California | ||
| State income tax | $2,983 | $964 |
| Take-home pay | $86,127 | $88,146 |
| $150,000 in wages: $835 more take-home in California | ||
| State income tax | $5,183 | $4,348 |
| Take-home pay | $122,402 | $123,237 |
| $250,000 in wages: $3,907 more take-home in Colorado | ||
| State income tax | $9,583 | $13,490 |
| Take-home pay | $192,285 | $188,378 |
Rates and deductions
| Colorado | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Rates | 4.4% flat | 1% to 12.3%, plus 1% over $1 million |
| Standard deduction | $16,100 single, $32,200 joint (federal), cut to $1,000 ($2,000 joint) from $300,000 of income | $5,900 single, $11,800 joint |
| Personal exemption | None | $158 single, $316 joint (credit), shrinking above $252,203 of income ($504,411 joint) |
Retirement and Social Security
Does Colorado tax Social Security?
Partly. Colorado subtracts all taxable benefits from age 65, and from 55 to 64 when federal AGI is $75,000 or less ($95,000 joint), and up to $20,000 of them at higher incomes.
Colorado Social Security tax rules
Does Colorado tax retirement income?
Partly. Colorado subtracts up to $24,000 per person of pension and IRA income at 65 ($20,000 from 55), less the Social Security that person subtracts, and taxes the rest.
Colorado retirement income tax for 2026
Does California tax Social Security?
No. California does not tax Social Security benefits.
California Social Security tax rules
Does California tax retirement income?
Yes. California taxes pensions and 401(k) and IRA withdrawals at its regular rates, with no general retirement exclusion.